Lacey ranks No. 1 for rain in NJ since June 1

Up to 3.32 inches of rain fell in New Jersey in 24 hours through Fri. Aug. 22, 2014
(Photo:
Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center
)

Soggy, soggy, soggy.

Since June 1, a whopping 19.24 inches of rain has fallen in Lacey — tops in New Jersey and about 7 inches above normal, according to David A. Robinson, the state climatologist based at Rutgers University.

Howell and Belmar rank second and third, with 17.88 inches and 17.54 inches, respectively, Robinson said today.

Lacey also ranks first in the Garden State for rain this month, with 12.33 inches — "an impressive total," Robinson said. Stafford ranks second, with 10.39 inches. The statewide norm for August is about 4.5 inches.

"There's been a few areas that have really gotten socked," he said, but statewide "this has been a pretty darn average summer for precipitation and for temperature."

Another round of thunderstorms hit New Jersey Thursday night and Friday morning, dumping up to 3.37 inches of rain, according to Robinson. And while northwestern New Jersey has been quite dry this month, it's been wet especially right along the coast and down into Cumberland County.

Rainfall totals this summer have hinged on where thunderstorms tracked, Robinson said.

"Ten miles can make all the difference with a particular line of thunderstorms," he said.

Scorching summer heat has often been absent this summer, with fewer heat waves (at least three days with at least 90-degree temperatures) than normal. Areas along the coast and in the hills and valleys of northwestern New Jersey have had zero heat waves, according to Robinson.

Freehold has endured two heat waves: on July 1-3 and July 7-9, he said.

Since June 1, it's been at least 90 on 14 days in Freehold. The average there is about 20 days from April through September, the highest number is 52 days in 2010 and the lowest, six days in 1960, Robinson said.

Meanwhile, Freehold got the most snow in Monmouth and Ocean counties this winter — 73.4 inches. That ranks third behind the 77.7 inches of snow at High Point Ranger Station, Sussex County, and 75.3 inches in Bethlehem, Hunterdon County, according to a report by Robinson.